Definitions

táo bind; cord; twist

Etymology

About

(táo) is a phono-semantic compound for concepts of binding and rope. The traditional form pairs the semantic radical (mì, 'silk') , denoting thread or cord , with the phonetic (táo), which once depicted a pottery vessel. The simplified replaces with its abbreviated form , while the phonetic remains unchanged. The character signifies both the act of twisting fibers into rope and the resulting rope or cord used for tying and binding.